Column: Nice-guy Roberts needs a lightning strike

Now that the Republican gubernatorial field is down to just three candidates, voters might be willing to take a closer look at Rod Roberts, the only one left who’s not Terry Branstad or Bob Vander Plaats.

Roberts, a soft-spoken state representative and evangelical minister from Carroll, has survived in a one-time field of seven to be the alternative to the two better-known Republicans.

His initial inspiration to run for governor was that Branstad and former Gov. Bob Ray told a local newspaper columnist in Carroll that Roberts would make a fine candidate for governor. That seemed like a flimsy reason to me – especially after Branstad decided he personally would make an even better candidate.

As the campaign has gone on, he’s tried to carve out a niche as the nice-guy candidate who holds on to conservative principles yet can win in a swing district and work with the opposite party.

He taps into voter dissatisfaction with government with a theme of “respect for the people.” Iowans want government officials to listen to them, make wise use of taxpayer money and ensure that the power stays where it belongs – with citizens, Roberts says.

Roberts says the 2010 election cycle is engaging voters like never before in his memory, and he thinks they’re going to be willing to consider a fresh face. “And that’s an advantage I have in this field of three candidates,” he said. “I’m the new person.”

The departure of Rep. Christopher Rants from the race last week leaves Roberts as the only sitting state lawmaker in the field. Roberts sees his five terms in the Iowa House as an advantage over Vander Plaats, who has never held public office.

If Rants’ rather pugnacious personality was too fiery for voters’ palates, they ought to like Roberts’ demeanor. He’s vanilla ice cream to Rants’ cayenne pepper – smooth, soothing, comfortable. He’s got a chance to appeal especially to older Iowans, who in recent polls have been the least supportive of Branstad but still tend to be the most reliable voters.

Roberts also might be able to win over some of the grass-roots conservative groups that have been leery of Branstad’s establishment credentials.

Roberts has been generally a workhorse at the Statehouse, without a lot of flashy accomplishments. But he has enough of a record to give opponents some ammunition.

There has been a bit of grumbling in the right-wing blogosphere that he voted in 2004 for a so-called “Dream Act” bill allowing in-state college tuition for undocumented immigrants who had established long-term residency in the state. It passed unanimously in the Republican-controlled House that year but died in the Senate. He’s no fan of gambling, but he led the charge to spread casino-generated dollars for charity and community uses to all 99 counties.

Roberts raised about $100,000 for his campaign last year, far less than his rivals. He says he knows he can’t compete financially, so he’s being “very thoughtful and frugal” with his campaign money. He’s been sticking around the Statehouse during session, rather than campaigning during the day. It’s admirable that he’s doing the job he was elected to do, but it might add to his disadvantages by taking time away from the trail. He has no paid staff and little money for advertising.

I do hear from time to time from Republicans who are looking for an alternative to Branstad and Vander Plaats. Both of the more experienced candidates have weaknesses, and you never know when lightning might strike. But it’s not clear Roberts will be in position to bottle that lightning if it strikes.

He’ll have to find some creative ways to connect with voters, or even the perfect storm could leave him high and dry.

Political columnist Kathie Obradovich can be reached at (515) 284-8126 or kobradov@dmreg.com. You can follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/kobradovich. For more Obradovich columns, blogs and tweets, visit www.dmregister.com/Obradovich.